Guess what cracked this pipe? Tree roots. They’ll always find their way to water sources — in this case, right under all three sprinkler valves. Since the valves were old and the pipe-to-valve connectors were already stressed, the only reliable fix was to replace the entire assembly. The repair totaled about $600. Tip: When planting new trees, check for nearby valve boxes first. A little planning can save you from costly repairs later.
